Chess game device

ABSTRACT

A chess game device comprising a plurality of chessman elements and a checkered chessboard on which the chessmen elements may be positioned. At least one data sheet is provided having a plurality of coded instructions thereon to indicate each move for particular ones of the chessmen elements in a predetermined chess game. An apertured sequential data sheet reading member is associated with the data sheet and is provided with a manually rotatable disc having diametrically opposed slots to permit storage and sequential visual access of individual ones of a plurality coded instructions of two groups of instructions printed on the data sheet. The aperture in the reading member overlies the coded instructions on the data sheet and the disc overlies the aperture.

[451 Dec. 3, 1974 CHESS GAME DEVICE [76] Inventors: Michael Paul Pepkowski; Guy Jean l-loule, both of 316 Windermere Rd., Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: Mar. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 339,110

[52] US. Cl. 273/136 B, 35/8 R, 273/136 C, 273/136 D, 273/136 K, 273/148 R [51] Int. Cl. A63f 3/02, 60% 1/00 [58] Field of Search 273/136, 148 R, 142 J; 35/8 R, 8 B

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2l8,306 8/1879 McNeill .[273/136 E UX 1,430,778 10/1922 Williams 273/136 D 1,698,780 1/1929 Darrow 273/136 E UX 2,112,983 4/1938 .Glennon.,... 273/148 R X 2,984,914 5/1961 Feigen et al 273/136 R UX 3,339,289 9/1967 Arkin 273/136 E X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 8/1933 Germany 273/136 B France 273/142 J France 273/136 C Primary Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro 5 7 ABSTRACT A chess game device comprising a plurality of chessman elements and a checkered chessboard on which the chessmen elements-may be positioned. At least one data sheet is provided having a plurality of coded instructions thereon to indicate each move for particular ones of the chessmen elements in a predetermined chess game. An apertured sequential data sheet reading member is associated with the data sheet and is provided with a'manually rotatable disc having diametrically opposed slots to permit storage and sequential visual access of individual ones of a plurality coded instructions of two groups of instructions printed on the data sheet. The aperture in the reading member overlies the coded instructions on the data sheet and the disc overlies the aperture.

8 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENIEU DEC 3 I974 saw 2 OF 2? FIG.6

FIGJO CHESS GAME DEVICE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION a. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device and more particularly to a chess game device which can be played by a single person.

b. Description of Prior Art Chess games heretofore provided consist essentially of a chess board and chessmen and require two persons to play the game in accordance with the persons knowledge of the game. Also, the majority of these games are not easily transportable on a person whereby it can be readily utilized by that person when such person is suddently in a situation where it has spare time to play the game, i.e., traveling on a train, aircraft, etc. Further, the majority of prior art'chess devices require that the chess board be held firmly against movement not-to disturb the chessmen positioned thereon.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is a feature of the present invention to provide a chess game device which can be played by a single person and which can be easily carried on a person.

It is a further feature to provide a chess game device which can be played by a person whilst in transit and subjected to movement.

It is a further feature to provide a chess game device providing a plurality of chess games in accordance with data sheet instructions containing the required moves of the chessmen, certain ones of said moves being stored and available to the player after he has divided the required move based on his own knowledge of the chess game.

A still further feature is to provide an improved portable pocket size solitaire chess game device which is economical to produce.

According to these aims, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a chess game device comprising a plurality of chessmen elements and a checkered chess board on which the chessmen elements may be positioned. At least one data sheet is provided having a plurality of coded instructions thereon to indicate each move for particular ones of the chessmen ele ments in a predetermined chess game. A sequential data sheet reading member is associated with the data sheet and is provided with manual operable means to permit storage and sequential visual access of individual ones of a plurality of coded instructions of two groups of instructions printed on the data sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chess game device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the chess game device in its folded form;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the instruction flap;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a data sheet;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a disc associated with the instruction flap of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmented view of the instruction flap;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a chessman;

FIG. 8 is a perspective fragmented view of a further embodiment of a chessman;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a modified instruction flap;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a modified disc associated with the instruction flap of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmented sectional view illustrating the connection between the disc and its associated instruction flap.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 8, there is shown generally at 10 a chess game device constructed in accordance with the present invention. The game device in a' preferred embodiment is constructed as a foldable case 11 formed essentially of a cover element 12, a base element 13 and an instruction flap 14. As shown, the case 1 1 is of substantially rectangular configuration although various other shapes may be provided. The base and cover elements l2and 13 have a respective bottom wall 12 and 13', end walls 12" and 13'', and side walls 12" and 13". A pair of hinge connectors 15 are formed in a respective side wall 12" and 13""to connect the cover element 12 to the base element 13. The flap I4 is a flat rectangular sheet member having a hinge connector 16 projecting from a longitudinal edge thereto for connection between spaced apart hinge connectors 15. Projection tabs 27 may be secured to the side walls 12" and 13" to hold the cover and base 12- and 13 in a closed position as shown in FIG. 2.

A rectangular chess board 17 having standard checkered squares 18 is secured in the cover portion 12 and located substantially central therein todefine chessmen compartments 19 on opposed sides of the board 17 to store the black and white chessmen elements 20 therein. Each square 18 on the board 17 may have a hole 21 therein to retain the chessmen 20' as shown in FIG. 7. Hereinshowmthe chessmen -20 is molded of suitable material, preferably plastic, and provided with an integral post 22 depending from the bottom thereof for engagement in a hole 21 on the chess board 17. In

-a further embodiment the chess board can be formed of metal. and the chessmen provided with a magnet piece to provide positive engagement with the board 17. As shown in FIG. 8, the chessmen 20" is formed as a plastic disc 23 and having a central circular flange 24 to retain a magnet piece 25 therein; The upper surface of the disc has a decal 26 to identify the particular chessmen. The chess board can be frictionally retained in the cover 12 or glued thereto.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of data sheets 30 are located in the base portion 13, and these will be described later. The flap 14 is located between the base and cover portion and is movable therebetween whereby to permit the data sheets 30 to be inserted in the base element 13. The flap 14 is of such a dimension as to fit closely about the inner side walls of the base element 13 whereby it can be frictionally retained over the instruction sheets 30 to constitutean instruction reading position. Alternatively, the flap 14 may be provided with tabs (not shown) along an edge thereof to frictionally engage with the inside wall of the base element 13 to retain the flap over the data sheets 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the instruction flap l4,

constituting the sequential data sheet reading member,

is provided with two discs which are pivotally secured, at the center thereof, to the flap 14. Each disc 35 is manually operable. Each disc 35 has a data reading slot 36 formed diametrically from the peripheral edge 37 of the disc. The edge 37 is provided with a plurality of serrations 38 for frictional engagement with a post 39 secured and extending above the flap 14. If the disc 35 is to be secured by a ferrule 40, as shown in FIG. 1, then a hole 41 is formed at the center of the disc. A direction indicator 42 is embossed on the disc. or alternatively may be formed on the flap 14, to indicate the direction of rotation of the discs 35.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the construction of the flap 14. As shown, the flap 14 is provided with arcuate apertures 45 and positioned whereby the slot 36 of the discs 35 will move thereabout as the discs 35 are turned to view instructions on the top data sheet 30 positioned under the flap. The arcuate apertures 45 for both discs 35 are normally identical although there is herein shown two embodiments of such apertures 45. The upper aperture 45 is shown as a continuous aperture whilst the lower aperture 45 is formed of two sections 45' and 45". A further aperture 46 is provided in the flap 14, at a convenient location, to view instructions on the top data sheet 30 positioned under the flap l4. Markings 47 are provided on the flap 14 about the apertures 45,45 and 45" to indicate the particular position of the slot 36 provided on the disc 35. Holes 28 are provided for securing the discs 35 to the flap 14.

FIG. 4 shows the data sheet 16 on which there is illustrated two embodiments of data instruction layouts to conform with the two embodiments of the areuate apertures 45 shown in FIG. 3. The instructions at 47 align with further aperture 46 in the flap and identifies the particular chess game on the data sheet indicating the name and color of the players, the winning player, the location where the game was played, the year and the type of chess game (i.e., Russian defence, etc.) The coded instructions along the continuous are 48 indicates each move of the black chessman, each coded instruction line 48' corresponding to one displacement or one serration 38 of the disc 35 as it is rotated. The coded instructions in the lower embodiment are shown in two arcuate sections 49' and 49" leaving a space 50 adjacent opposed ends of the printed coded instruction sections. The purpose for the space 50 is to provide for a change in the direction of the printing of the coded instruction lines to facilitate reading the coded instructions without displacing the position of the game device 10. It can be seen that, with either of the instruction layouts shown by the two embodiments, the printing for the black chessmen always starts one position behind printing for the white chessmen instructions (those shown in the lower part of the sheet).

Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 11, there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention. Hereinshown, the instruction flap or card-like member 60 is provided with an aperture 61 whereby to read the game identifying instructions printed on the data sheet (not shown). Two arcuate apertures 62 and 63 are positioned along a portion of a circular axis formed about the hole 65 and each being in registry with printed coded instructions for the moves of the white and black chessmen, respectively, on a data sheet. normally positioned therebehind. The hole 65 is provided for securing the disc 70 on the flap 60. The arcuate aperture 62 extends from a front end 62 positioned along the hori zontal axis 64, passing through the center of hole 65.

to a remote end 62" above the axis 64. The front end 63 of the arcuate aperture 63 starts one coded instruction line below the horizontal axis 64 and terminates at its other end 63" below the axis 64. A post 66 extends from the upper surface of the flap 60 to engage with the serrations 71 in the outer periphery of disc 70, as shown in FIG. 10. The disc is provided with data reading slots 72 along the edge of the disc and posi tioned along a diameter of the disc. One data reading slot 72' corresponds to the white chessmen whilst the other slot 72" corresponds to the black chessmen. In the start position, the aperture 72' will be adjacent the first position marking (scale 67 indicating all positions for the moves) whilst the aperture 72" is positioned over a blank area. When the slot 72' is moved to the second instruction position, the slot 72" will indicate the first move or first coded instruction line of the black chessmen. The instruction flap 60 may be constructed in the form of a large card if it is to be used with a chess game packaged in a box rather than a pocket size foldable case 11, as shown in FIGS. I and 2. If packaged in a box the cover of the box would constitute the cover element 12 and the base of the box would constitute the base eiement 13. The instruction sheets 30 would be of larger size and the instruction flap or card would be positioned in the base of the box with the sheets 30 conveniently located thereunder. There would, of course, be no hinge, and a separate checkered chess board may be provided.

FIG. 11 indicates a further manner of securing the discs 70 or 35 to the flaps 60 or 14. Hereinshown, the disc 70 is molded with a slotted post 75 having a transverse slot 76 therethrough to permit the arms 77 to flex toward each other as the post 75 is pressed through the hole 65. A shoulder portion 78 is also formed integral with the disc and post to provide a clearance 79 between the disc 70 and flap 60.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 is as follows. The desired chess game data sheet is placed on top of the package of sheets 30 positioned in the base element 13 and the flap I4 is positioned thereover with both discs 35 positioned with their slots 36 located adjacent a START designation on the flap. The player always plays the winning side and this is indicated to him by the printed instructions appearing in the aperture 46. The type of game strategy (i.e., Russian defence) is also given whereby the player may anticipate the various moves of the winner, thus gaining knowledge of the various game strategies. In the case where the winner is black, the slot 36 in the disc 35 corresponding to the white chessmen will be adjacent a coded data instruction line (which is printed on the top data sheet 30) designating the first move. The player will then guess the first move of the black chessmen before turning the disc 35 for the black chessmen to the first move position where the correct move will be given. The discs 35 are moved sequentially until the instructions appearing in one of the slots 36, in this particular example the disc for the white chessmen, indicates that the particular game is over, i.e., one of the players has resigned. To play a different game, the player merely places a different data sheet 30 on top of the stack of sheets located in the base portion 13.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is slightly different in that there is only one disc 70 with two data reading slots 72' and 72" to indicate the moves of both the white and black chessmen. Again.

taking the example that the black chessmen is the winner, the reading slot of the white disc72 is positioned adjacent the coded instruction line for the first move. There will be no coded instruction line under the slot 72" relating to the black chessmen. The first move having been made, the player will guess or anticipate the first move of the black chessmen and then turn the disc 70 one further position to view the correct first move of the black chessmen through slot 72". In this position, the slot 72', for the white chessmen is moved adjacent the second move for the white chessmen and the steps are repeated until the instruction appearing in one of the slots 72' or 72 indicates that the game is terminated. I

It is within the ambit of the present invention to provide a chess game which is not specifically constructed as a foldable case, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, there may be provided a card having one or two discs and instruction sheets suitably retained or positioned behind the card whereby coded instructions will be read sequentially as discussed herein. Further, the game can be made of any suitable material.

1 claim:

1. A chess game device comprising a plurality of chessmen elements, a checkered chess board on which said chessmen elements may be positioned, at least one data sheet having two complete groups of coded instructions printed thereon to indicate each move in a plurality of moves for particular ones of said chessmen elements of two complete sets of elements in a predetermined chess game, said coded instructions of each group being printed adjacent one another along an arcuate plane on an arc of a circle, a sequential data sheet reading member associated with said at least one data sheet, said reading member being a flat card-like member having a disc secured thereto, said disc having two diametrically opposed data reading slots adjacent the peripheral edge thereof, at least one arcuate aperture in said card-like member and located under said disc adjacent the periphery thereof, said disc being rotatable about its center to said card-like member to permit said data reading slots to travel through a plurality of positions along said at least one arcuate aperture for sequential visual access of said individual ones of said plurality of coded instructions of a respective group of said two groups of coded instructions on said associated data sheet.

2. A chess game device as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is further provided a cover element and a base element, said at least one data sheet being retained by one of said cover or base elements with said reading member positioned thereover, said chess board being retained by said other one of said cover or base elements.

3. A chess game device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cover and base elements are hinged together along an edge thereof, said reading member being a flap hinged between said cover and base elements.

4'. A chess game as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cover and base elements each have a bottom wall, opposed end walls and opposed side walls, said card-like member being releasably engageable between said end walls and side walls of one of said cover or base elements, said at least one data sheet being positioned between said card-like member and said bottom wall of said one of said cover or base elements to which said card-like member is releasably engaged. I

5. A chess game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disc has a plurality of serrations along its outer periphery, each of said serrations corresponding to the displacement between each of said individual ones of said plurality of coded instructions, a post on said card-like member positioned along the periphery of said disc to engage with said serrations as the disc is rotated on said card-like member.

6. A chess game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said card-like member is provided with a plurality of spaced apart markings thereon adjacent the periphery of said disc to indicate the position of said data reading slots.

7. A chess game as claimed in claim 6 wherein said card-like member is provided with a further aperture to permit visual access to game identifying instructions on said at least one data sheet.

8. A chess game as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two arcuate apertures in said flat card-like member, each said groups of coded instructions being disposed for registry with a respective one of said two arcuate apertures. 

1. A chess game device comprising a plurality of chessmen elements, a checkered chess board on which said chessmen elements may be positioned, at least one data sheet having two complete groups of coded instructions printed thereon to indicate each move in a plurality of moves for particular ones of said chessmen elements of two complete sets of elements in a predetermined chess game, said coded instructions of each group being printed adjacent one another along an arcuate plane on an arc of a circle, a sequential data sheet reading member associated with said at least one data sheet, said reading member being a flat card-like member having a disc secured thereto, said disc having two diametrically opposed data reading slots adjacent the peripheral edge thereof, at least one arcuate aperture in said card-like member and located under said disc adjacent the periphery thereof, said disc being rotatable about its center to said card-like member to permit said data reading slots to travel through a plurality of positions along said at least one arcuate aperture for sequential visual access of said individual ones of said plurality of coded instructions of a respective group of said two groups of coded instructions on said associated data sheet.
 2. A chess game device as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is further provided a cover element and a base element, said at least one data sheet being retained by one of said cover or base elements with said reading member positioned thereover, said chess board being retained by said other one of said cover or base elements.
 3. A chess game device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cover and base elements are hinged together along an edge thereof, said reading member being a flap hinged between said cover and base elements.
 4. A chess game as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cover and base elements each have a bottom wall, opposed end walls and opposed side walls, said card-like member being releasably engageable between said end walls and side walls of one of said cover or base elements, said at least one data sheet being positioned between said card-like member and said bottom wall of said one of said cover or base elements to which said card-like member is releasably engaged.
 5. A chess game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disc has a plurality of serrations along its outer periphery, each of said serrations corresponding to the displacement between each of said individual ones of said plurality of coded instructions, a post on said card-like member positioned along the periphery of said disc to engage with said serrations as the disc is rotated on said card-like member.
 6. A chess game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said card-like member is provided with a plurality of spaced apart markings thereon adjacent the periphery of said disc to indicate the position of said data reading slots.
 7. A chess game as claimed in claim 6 wherein said card-like member is provided with a further aperture to permit visual access to game identifying instructions on said at least one data sheet.
 8. A chess game as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two arcuate apertures in said flat card-like member, each said groups of coded instructions being disposed for registry with a respective one of said two arcuate apertures. 